• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Boosting home wireless network signal

S

Superguy

Member
Hey all,

I'm trying to tweak my home network to go all wireless. Our current setup involves the cable modem sitting in the family room, with a cable running to our Linksys WRT54GS wireless router in our living room.

We're renting my friend's house and he won't let us just put a cable drop in the living room. Probably about a 30 ft run down the hall.

Now we have a little run running around the house and we'd like to get rid of that cable run.

I'd like to go wireless ... I'm already wireless on my wife's computer. However, I'm having some signal strength issues.

If I have the router/AP in our living room, the signal strength is just fine ... but then I have to run a cable. However, when I have it in the family room next to the cable modem, I get a significant drop. 36Mb is the best connection I get, and the signal strength is reported as low.

I downloaded Sveasoft's Alchemy firmware to boost the output to 251mW, but that hasn't helped much.

I'm probably going to buy a Linksys wireless PCI card with Speedbooster for the network. However, my question is, what is the best way to boost the signal so I can get full throughput? I've looked at getting an access point for the living room to work as a repeater, and also Linksys's "plug and go" access point along with some higher gain antennae.

All network cards I have at home use the Speedbooster technology, so I'd like something that would work with that.

Any ideas that could help?

Thanks,

Super
 
If you already boosted the tx signals as much you can, the only way to get better coverage is better antennas, maybe directional ones like dishes or waveguides if it's just point-to-point. Or you could try those new things that you can plug into an AC power socket and it uses your house wiring to carry the signal. Apparently they can do 100Mb ethernet but i've never tried them.
 
In most cases boosting the Output of Entry Level Wireless Hardware beyond 60-70mW actually yield a Negative effect.

What counts in good Wireless Coverage is Not Signal Strength, but Signal to Noise Ration ( http://www.ezlan.net/wbars.html )

Since the Hardware was designed for sun 50mW output boosting the signal boosts the internal noise as well.

Extending Wireless Coverage is highly dependent on the environment the following links contain some of the Method that can be used might be that one of them would fit your specific environment.

Link to: Extending the Distance of Entry Level Wireless Network.

Link to: Wirelessly Bridging Home / Network.

Link to: Hi Gain Antenna for Entry Level Wireless.

In general, the best Method involves using multiple units connect with wire to the source.

Or WDS ( Wireless Network - Configuration Modes. ) system using Hardware of one Brand across the board.

:sun:
 
you might check your client to make sure it's at max power. tbh, if you are getting 36Mb/s with low signal, but it's steady (i.e. rare drops/problems) then I would just leave it alone. It's throttling back naturally, and for most stuff, it's still your ISP that is the bottleneck. If you are transferring gigs of stuff, wire the laptop (really, 54Mb/s is not half of a wired 100 Mb/s connection...) for them.
 
Thanks for the tips.

WDS looks like the best option were I to use another router.

Now if my Linksys has two antennas, I wouldn't have to worry about halving my speed, would I?

Are there any good "how to's" for WDS?

Thanks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top